More microplastics in babies’ faeces than in adults’ – study

Researchers say children's mouthing behaviour and products such as bottles may be to blame

Infants have more microplastics in their faeces than adults, a study has found.

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5mm in size that have been released into the environment from the breakage of bigger plastic objects. They are a threat to the environment because they do not easily biodegrade, and recent research has found them in dust, food, fruit, bottled water and, as a result, animal and human faeces.